How many times have you sat in a darkened movie theatre or on your living room couch watching a film or TV show and turned to your significant other/friend/dog and said, “I can do better than this!” Here’s the good news: we believe you can. Give voice to your creativity and imagination. Join us for one intense year in Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television Program. Let us help you jump start your future by getting your stories and characters out of your head and onto the page. Now the bad news… your dog’s going to be jealous.

An Education in WRITING FOR FILM AND TELEVISION

build from critiques and feedback

Develop a confidence in yourself as a writer through writing, rewriting, and being exposed to constant feedback from peers and professional writers.

build from critiques and feedback

Write for Film and Television

With more platforms for original programming, and more great opportunities for writers than ever before, this is the best time to be a screenwriter.

Write for Film and Television

Develop your network

Form relationships with like-minded people that will support you for the rest of your career.

Bed Bugs

Synopsis: When Tony tries to take his coffee and pizza joint in an environmentally friendly direction by getting rid of napkins, the mob that owns the place sends their enforcer, Vito, to change his mind.

Tony's Coffee & Pizza: No Napkins

Ryan Uytdewilligen

Synopsis: A lovestruck man visits a time travel company to fix an embarrassing moment and win over the girl of his dreams.

Tea Time

Key Faculty

Our instructors are working professionals with decades of experience as screenwriters, story editors, playwrights, poets, and interactive media writers. They are dedicated to sharing their extensive knowledge and industry expertise to help you thrive in your career.

Michael Baser

Head of Department

Prior to arriving at VFS, Michael enjoyed a successful career in American prime time television and film for over 35 years. He has worked as a Writer, Producer, or Executive Producer on iconic classics, such as The Jeffersons, Three's Company, and Full House.

Rodger Cove

Senior Instructor – Feature Script/Character Essentials

Rodger has been teaching screenwriting for 15 years. His own work includes Hair of the Sasquatch (Calgary International Film Festival, 2008), and The Patio, (the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, 2014).

Aaron Bushkowsky

Instructor — Writing for Film/Dialogue/Feature Rewrites

Aaron has served as a resident writer at Touchstone Theatre, The Playhouse, Rumble Theatre, and the Canadian Film Centre. His short film, The Alley, was nominated for six Leo Awards.

John Meadows

Instructor — Writing for Film/Pitch/Adaptation

John premiered his first feature film, Wisegirls (starring Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey), at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and has worked extensively as a screenwriter and story editor in Canada, Australia, England, and the US. John has also written for video games, including Avatar and Lost.

Kat Montagu

Instructor — Writing for Film/Story Editing/Marketing/Format

Kat has been a screenwriter, script consultant, and teacher for 15 years (she was VFS Instructor of the year in 2012). Kat won the SSHRC scholarship for her historical novel Emperor, and her modern play, The Bed Trick, debuted early 2015.

Keith Shaw

Instructor — Writing for Film

As head of the writing department at Odyssey Media, Keith developed, wrote, or story edited over 25 productions for the likes of Universal and Disney. In 2004, he won the Banff Television Festival's HD Doc Competition.

Faculty Career Highlights

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

Arne Olsen — Writer

Full House

Michael Baser — Writer

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game

John Meadows — Writer

Alienated

Kat Montagu — Writer

Good Times

Michael Baser — Writer

Cop and a Half

Arne Olsen — Writer

MacGyver

Rick Drew — Writer

Road to Avonlea

Rick Drew — Writer

Malibu Shark Attack

Keith Shaw — Writer

Crash Test Mommy

Tihemme Gagnon — Story Editor

Holiday Switch

Gayl DeCoursey — Writer

Early Edition

Laura Doyle — Writer

The Jeffersons

Michael Baser — Writer

Three's Company

Michael Baser — Writer

WiseGirls

John Meadows — Writer

Hair of the Sasquatch

Rodger Cove — Writer and Producer

Snowmageddon

Rudy Thauberger — Writer

The Twelve Disasters of Christmas

Rudy Thauberger — Writer

The Immortal

Deb Peraya — WriterRick Drew — Writer

1001 Nights

Victor Nicolle — Writer

Campus Life

Your year inside Writing for Film and Television will put you in close contact with students in a host of other VFS programs, from actors and filmmakers to makeup artists and animators. This downtown campus features near round-the-clock access to computers, production space, and an extensive library of screenplays. You'll also be surrounded by the city's best cafes, restaurants, and cultural attractions – not to mention some of the leading film and television production studios.

Guest Speakers

Producing for Writers

Pitch original film concepts to students in the Film Production program. This experience will test your skills in writing to the meet the demands of a short film production.

Producing for Writers

Sketch Comedy Night

Just like in the writers' room on a show like Saturday Night Live, you'll pitch, write, and rewrite short sketches that will then be cast, rehearsed, and performed in front of a live, public audience.

Sketch Comedy Night

CAREERS IN SCREENWRITING

As a graduate of Writing for Film and Television at VFS, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of writing and production roles in film, television, and production studios.

Screenwriter for Film

As a Feature Screenwriter, you'll work long hours on original spec scripts and, in collaboration with a producing team, usher them through development to production. Whether you're focused on working with big-budget studios or independent producers, you'll need to be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of story, screenplay structure, and character.

TV Writer

Television is a writer-driven medium and experienced writers in this field also take on producing roles in addition to their writing duties. When starting out, you'll be focused on joining a TV series' writing staff as an assistant or intern, which requires taking part in story meetings and pitch sessions.

Story Editor

Story editors are typically experienced screenwriters and excel at championing a writer's vision from early draft stages to the final shooting script. Outside of Hollywood, many feature film productions may use your services to help the screenwriter apply notes from the producing team or funding agencies.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Motive

Cole

Some Assembly Required

Mr. Young

Riese

Last Man Standing

Richard Brandon Manus – Writer

Arctic Air

Derek Thompson – Writer

Cedar Cove

Derek Thompson – Writer / Story Editor

When Calls the Heart

Derek Thompson – Writer

Testimonials

VFS’s Writing for Film and Television program rewards those who are willing to take it seriously and put in the hard work. I found the instructors knowledgeable and thoughtful — able to insightfully critique and passionately encourage with equal fervor. Working with my fellow classmates helped me develop my ability to give and take notes from my peers — a skill set necessary to make it in film and TV. Without a doubt, VFS firmly put me on the path to become a writer and without them I would not be a working writer in Hollywood today.

Richard Brandon ManusLast Man Standing and Welcome to the Family
Writing for Film and Television Graduate

VFS gave me the tools that allowed me to succeed in episodic television. The instructors have a passion for the craft of screenwriting and a genuine interest in your development as a writer.

Derek ThompsonArctic Air and When the Heart Calls
Writing for Film and Television Graduate

The VFS Writing Program gave me the education and experience I needed to thrive in the reality of a TV writers' room.

Jennifer SiddleSome Assembly Required and Mr. Young
Writing for Film and Television Graduate

The opportunity to workshop with classmates at VFS wasn't just a great way to learn and refine my skills, it also reminded me why I am passionate about writing in the first place. It helped me find the confidence to put myself out there as a writer, and the drive to shout until I could make myself heard.

Alison RossUnder Wraps
Writing for Film and Television Graduate

Admissions Info

To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.

Tuition

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CAD $20,250

Your VFS tuition covers all essential materials, including textbooks, budgets for film stock and processing, and access to equipment, art supplies, computers, and software.

Write a one-page (maximum) synopsis. Provide the film genre and use references to other movies to explain how you would make the film. Explain the concept, vision, or idea. In addition, provide a minimum of two and maximum of four other creative writing samples in their original form (no more than 20 total pages should be submitted). You'll find information on how to send your work in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.

We Can Help

We’re here to help you submit an application that best reflects your abilities, and gives you the best chance of being accepted. We've helped thousands of people complete a successful year at VFS by answering questions like these:

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